A question of height..

Anything to do with the 1200 'Scrambler' series
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Jay
Posts: 26
Joined: 01 Jan 2015 22:41
Location: Staffordshire UK

A question of height..

Post by Jay »

I've just returned from a 1500 mile tour of Ireland on my Scrambler. The bike was epic - no issues, no faults,
rode the A roads and lanes like a dream. Suspension was perfect and the torque phenomenal.

My problem - I'm 6'1" and I now have a twinge in my left hip. It started last week. I have found the knee angle from the riding position too acute and I have these options I think;

- Lower the pegs somehow
- Get the seat reupholstered to boost the height
- Swap it for a Gran Passo which may ( I don't know) have a higher seat .... anyone know?
- Sell it

I love the handling, balance and sheer grunt but it's a classic Italian design i.e. for someone with short legs and long arms. I have the long arms...

Anyone been through similar? Or know about the GP??

Cheers
Emmohaswheelsagain
Posts: 358
Joined: 28 Jun 2008 21:13
Location: Lincolnshire

Re: A question of height..

Post by Emmohaswheelsagain »

Hi Jay,

I own a 9 1/2 which is very similar to your Scrambler in terms of performance/ ride position / seat height etc.
I benefit from being 5 8 with reasonably long arms to cope with the bars. At 6' 1' you would be more suited to the Gran Passo, as others on this forum will tell you the GP is at home on the longer tours with improved luggage options and a more forgiving riding position for both rider and passenger. You still benefit from the grunt of a Lambertini engine and the fun element is still there. Try one and see :D

Regards

Paul
Jay
Posts: 26
Joined: 01 Jan 2015 22:41
Location: Staffordshire UK

Re: A question of height..

Post by Jay »

Hi Paul, thank you, sound counsel and I get your logic. I love the engine! I looked at pictures and the peg position is definitely more forgiving. Trouble is, only one Gran Passo for sale in the UK at the moment and it's a private sale so no trade-in. No demos out there, given their web sales channel. I'll need to sell mine I think and then look out for a GP. I'm looking at KTM Adventure, Multistrada etc but I really love the Morini.

If you ever here of someone selling/looking to swap for a Scrambler please point them my way - and if you're in/near the Midlands it'd be good to meet and see your bike?

cheers

Jeremy
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toggy
Posts: 282
Joined: 10 Apr 2009 17:06
Location: United Kingdom,Poole

Re: A question of height..

Post by toggy »

My old GP was on eBay a couple of weeks ago ,the seller was going to Px it if it didn't sell ,it didn't . So a dealer may have it now .you could contact the seller to see if he did Px it .
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Moto-Morini-G ... 7675.l2557

Item number 301672421382
Emmohaswheelsagain
Posts: 358
Joined: 28 Jun 2008 21:13
Location: Lincolnshire

Re: A question of height..

Post by Emmohaswheelsagain »

Hi Jay,

You obviously like your Scrambler after your tour around Southern Ireland.
A couple more options to consider:

Air Hawk seat cushions - These will improve comfort on long runs and can be inflated or deflated easily to adapt to your size & weight.
Modifying your seat - A little more expensive but having a new foam insert and at the same time recovering your seat to customise, would give your bike a new look/feel.
You would have to discuss your options with a specialist, however there are plenty around and you may raise your riding position enough, to overcome the problem.

Finally, I will be over your part of the world on Sunday 13th September, for Les Skinners annual ride out.(Details now on this site), you are welcome to join us. Nothing swift, just a pleasant run through Leicestershire and sometimes surrounding counties. We always stop off at places of interest and there is usually a pub on route for refreshments.

I hope you find the right compromise for your Scrambler.

Regards

Paul
Jay
Posts: 26
Joined: 01 Jan 2015 22:41
Location: Staffordshire UK

Re: A question of height..

Post by Jay »

Toggy - thanks, I have sent the guy a message via eBay

Paul - thanks also, I have spoken to North Leicester Motorcycles ( Morini specialists) who apparently know a good seat reupholsterer so I'm going to check that out. I've found out that the Gran Passo does have a more relaxed position, and I'm hoping to get to sit on one in the coming months. I've also noted that meet, and sent a reply to the thread.

I'll post a note about the trip in the relevant section!

Cheers

J
Jay
Posts: 26
Joined: 01 Jan 2015 22:41
Location: Staffordshire UK

Re: A question of height..

Post by Jay »

Update

I've looked into altering the seat, air hawk seat cushion and tinkering with the pegs. I've concluded that I'm just a bit too big for it and I need a different bike. I've tried the Ducati Multistrada, BMW GS1200 and F800GS, liked none of them. Mainly for the engine. NLM had a Gran Passo in from Italy for a customer, so I popped up and checked it out. Conclusion - I need a Gran Passo.

I advertised the Scrambler on Thursday and sold it this morning, leather bag and all. Hoping I'll have a new bike by the time of the ride out in September.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Jay
Emmohaswheelsagain
Posts: 358
Joined: 28 Jun 2008 21:13
Location: Lincolnshire

Re: A question of height..

Post by Emmohaswheelsagain »

A good choice Jay.
No loss of fun and more options :D

Regards

Paul
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Daddy Dom
Posts: 512
Joined: 16 Nov 2006 19:48
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Re: A question of height..

Post by Daddy Dom »

A too-late and rather left-field suggestion, I'm sorry, but if it happens again maybe look not at the bike but at yourself. Seriously, a year doing yoga has made riding with rearsets and clip-ons a lot easier on my hips. :o
DD
MRC 3082½
Jay
Posts: 26
Joined: 01 Jan 2015 22:41
Location: Staffordshire UK

Re: A question of height..

Post by Jay »

Hi Dom, actually I have discovered courtesy of the chiropractor that my right femur is fractionally shorter than my left. Hence the pain being left side only.

Ah well!
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Daddy Dom
Posts: 512
Joined: 16 Nov 2006 19:48
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Re: A question of height..

Post by Daddy Dom »

Aren't there some bikes with adjustable footpeg positions? Vincents, maybe? Can't be that hard to rig up.
DD
MRC 3082½
butchamphib
Posts: 103
Joined: 26 May 2010 12:57

Re: A question of height..

Post by butchamphib »

Sorry only just read this post. Ive got both Granpasso and Scrambler have adjustable footrests on GP and two different seat options and airhawk which you could have tried. im 5.11" and prefer the Scrambler for comfort, but sounds like you have a master plan i will be on the GP for Les's ride sunday.
Jay
Posts: 26
Joined: 01 Jan 2015 22:41
Location: Staffordshire UK

Re: A question of height..

Post by Jay »

Hi B, thanks for that. Yeah I've sold it now and have a used GP coming from Italy. Even if I'd lowered the pegs on the Scrambler I always felt slightly 'hulking' on it and want the touring bias of the GP. I'm just going through the fandango of Italian bureaucracy :shock: No wonder their economy is glacial.

Hoping to come to the ride out on a mate's bike
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